Oil Pressure Light

[scotty]

Took the bike into work this morning for a change and the oil pressure light stayed on for a good 5 minutes before going out. The oil level is a bit too high (ie slightly overfilled). Would this account for the light staying on ? Light normally goes out immediately the engine is started.

[sproggy]

Took the bike into work this morning for a change and the oil pressure light stayed on for a good 5 minutes before going out.

You left it running for 5 minutes, possibly without oil pressure? If it was my bike it'd be lucky to get 5 seconds before being switched off in a hurry pending further investigation.

The oil level is a bit too high (ie slightly overfilled). Would this account for the light staying on ?

No, high oil level wouldn't affect oil pressure. Extremely low pressure might.

Light normally goes out immediately the engine is started.

As it should do. Could just be a problem with the oil pressure switch but I'd want to know before running the bike again with possibly insufficent pressure.

[scotty]

Sproggy

There is sufficient oil in the engine and no leaks anywhere so I can't understand why the light is staying on. It is likely that it's a faulty pressure switch. I take it the pressure switch is the one low down on the engine near the sight glass ? I'll check the connections tonight and give them a clean up. If it's a faulty switch unit itself I take it that this can be replaced from the outside of the engine when say changing the oil ?

Regards

[sproggy]

If the light eventually goes out then it's probably the switch at fault, but not definitely. Certainly of all the things that could be wrong the switch is the easiest to change. It might just be a case of the switch being clogged with dirt and needing a clean in petrol (I've resurrected pressure switches that way before) so try that before you buy a new one.

I'm not sure where it lives but you'd be able to change it at any time - no need to wait for an oil change. You'd just lose a dribble of oil. There's an oil temperature switch near the oil filter so don't get the wrong one!

[scotty]

Cheers Sproggy, I'll get my Clymer book out tonight to see where the switch is located. I'm sure it's the switch but you never know.

[theseadog]

Pressure switch is down bottom front near side, next to the oil level sight glass. Single wire connection to it that on most bikes is not sheilded fromt he elements in anyway, so tends to be manky. Easy to check thw switch, remove wire, ignition on, ground the wire and the light should go off. If it doesn't then possible wiring fault, so get tracing. Switches aren't expensive, around £7 last one I changed.

HTH


Toodle Pip

[scotty]

Cheers Paul

Cleaned up the connector at the switch and the problem has gone with the light now going out as soon as the engine is started. The connection is really exposed road crud so should probably be cleaned up every now and again.

[theseadog]

Sorry also meant to say once cleaned and reconnected give a light coat over the top with your favourite battery post grease ( most people that'll be vaseline then ) and that'll help, though you'll have to clean and renew as it'll collect the crap instead, hey ho !

[scotty]

Good stuff petroleum jelly/vaseline with loads of uses to keep corrosion at bay. Use it for anything between electrical connections, stopping corrosion in allen bolts to the hinge mechanism on my visor.

[Ade B]

My oil pressure light acts up after heavy rain, or over enthusiastic cleaning.

Given my recent riding habits - neither happens much...

Ade.

[scotty]

Ade

It can be a a bit of a pain the light coming on and not going off when it should. Jiggle the wire connector around a bit and smear the whole lot with petroleum gelly which will keep the water off in future. This should fix it.